Germany's Volkswagen AG has long been a pioneer in fuel efficient vehicles – some of its European variant diesel vehicles get well over 60 mpg. However, it has trailed in hybrid and electric vehicle efforts. In fact, will just get around to offering its first hybrid vehicle in the U.S. later this year.
At its Electronics Research Laboratory in Palo Alto, California, amid the backdrop of the launch of its sixth-generation VW Jetta compact, the company talked about its transition from being focused on diesel to going for the gold in the electric arena. Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn comments, "I am deeply convinced Volkswagen will play a key role in electrifying the automotive world."
The company's efforts will be spread across its base consumer brand and its luxury brands -- Audi and the recently acquired Porsche brand.
VW plans to release a Touareg (SUV) this year and Jetta (sedan) hybrid in 2012. It will then follow up with hybrid Golf and Passat models in 2013. In 2011, it plans to start testing a fleet of electric VW Golf vehicles. VW will also introduce a new electric called the E-Up! .
On the luxury front, Audi will release its first EV, the e-tron. Meanwhile, Porsche is cooking up hybrid variants of its Cayenne (SUV) and 918 Spyder (roadster).
VW reports that by the time these vehicles hit the market, its electric efforts will be as refined as its diesel ones. It says that its E-Up! batteries are already capable of running for 93 miles on a charge -- more than the 2011 Chevy Volt's, which can only muster 40 miles on a charge.
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